Foundation for Global Political Exchange
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The Beirut Exchange is an in-person immersive research conference that offers participants a unique exposure to leading scholars, politicians and activists representing a range of different points of view on Lebanon.
Our upcoming Beirut Exchange is aimed at NGO practitioners, foreign diplomats, researchers, journalists and professionals in general who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Lebanon.
For the 23rd Beirut Exchange, we will partner with Badil - The Alternative Policy Institute (API) - a pioneering think tank and media outlet that aims to represent Global South perspectives through an integrated counter-narrative approach, empowering citizens and communities with the knowledge and tools to shape their own futures.
The 23rd Beirut Exchange will take place June 8–15, 2026, in partnership with Badil — The Alternative Policy Institute (API). This edition brings together NGO practitioners, foreign diplomats, researchers, journalists and engaged professionals for an intensive, small-group immersion into Lebanon’s social, political and economic landscape.
Over eight days, participants will meet and engage directly with leading scholars, politicians, civil society actors and activists representing a broad spectrum of perspectives on Lebanon. Sessions are designed to foster candid, off-the-record dialogue that goes well beyond what traditional conferences or academic courses can offer.
Application Deadline I is April 30, 2026, with rolling acceptance thereafter. Scholarships are available to broaden the geographic and professional diversity of participants. All funding comes exclusively from participation fees and individual charitable contributions — no government or institutional sponsorship.
The first Beirut Exchange took place in June 2008, only a few weeks after sustained violence across Lebanon led to a political settlement known as the Doha Accords. It was our belief at the time that Lebanon was in dire need of more direct and diversified understanding, especially for those who are studying the country, influencing public opinion and discourse, or shaping their own country's foreign policies. Given the current situation that finds Lebanon slipping in terms of international focus even as its citizenry is immiserated further by the day, this is, regrettably, more true than ever.
In the years following our first Exchange, and given the evident need regionally, we steadily expanded our efforts, hosting more than 50 different Exchanges across the Middle East and North Africa, including in Tunisia, Iraq, Syria and Turkey and on Libya as well as Yemen. Fourteen years later, over 1,500 people from 51 different countries have attended an Exchange, with many alumni returning in later years to join sessions once (or several times) again.
In 2019, in order to transparently organize and further professionalize our work, we were finally able to establish The Exchange as a US-registered non-profit, under the aegis of The Foundation for Global Political Exchange, with the mission of promoting professional and academic enrichment through a variety of small group, direct engagement conferences in Western Asia and North Africa.
Crucially, and since our beginning, all funding for the Exchange comes from only two sources: First, the participants who pay the participation fee and, second, scholarship recipients who benefit from individual, charitable contributions designed to broaden the social, political and geographic diversity of each Exchange table. As such, there is no government, commercial or non-profit support, an aspect that we believe provides a relatively independent platform for dialogue and understanding.
In order to promote small group dynamics, the number of accepted participants will be capped at 20. Sessions themselves will be almost exclusively conducted on an individual rather than a panel basis for our speakers and will generally allow ample opportunity for question time (consecutive translation from Arabic into English will be provided when necessary). All sessions will also be held under the Chatham House rule, although we customarily work with our speakers to approve any quotes/references that participants may need for their own work whilst also facilitating direct connections between participants and speakers.
Among the themes that we will delve into during The 23rd Beirut Exchange:
Accepted applicants will receive the precise order of sessions with confirmed speakers three weeks prior to the opening of the 23rd Beirut Exchange, as well as readings pertinent to the sessions. As with all of our previous Beirut Exchanges since 2008, we have attempted to assemble a diverse group of speakers for the 23rd Beirut Exchange that we believe represent the wide spectrum of thought, position and action characteristic of Lebanon itself. It should be noted that The Exchange pays an honorarium to those speakers that do not serve in an official or party capacity and who are also able to accept funds from our foundation.
For undergraduate and graduate students, unaffiliated researchers and freelance journalists
Apply NowAccepted Lebanese individuals who can demonstrate need will be able to cover the participation fee at their current Bank rate governing non-external USD conversion to Lira.
Additional Costs:
Hotel Accommodation — Single rooms that include breakfast are available at the conference venue (the hotel location will be announced to accepted applicants). The price per night is approximately $95, inclusive of breakfast and taxes. Participants are also welcome to arrange their own housing while in Lebanon.
Airfare — Round trip airfares to Beirut from Europe typically are priced at $400. US inbound flights are approximately $800.
The Foundation for Global Political Exchange currently has one Scholarship slot (covering the participation fee, room and board and airfare/transportation only) available for an individual who complies with either one of these two categories:
For more information, request an application form via info@globalpoliticalexchange.org.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet, listen and engage leading social, political and economic actors from across the spectrum in Western Asia and North Africa.
The best immersion course on a country in transition I’ve seen.
There could not exist a more thorough and intensive immersion into Lebanese history and politics than The Exchange.
I learned more in my 10 days at the Beirut Exchange than in any university course on the subject!
A well-oiled program that brings you an impressive number and selection of speakers.
Illuminating and life changing experience. I will recall the Exchange as one of the most authentic educational experiences of my life.
Time-tested technique and tactful diplomacy enables The Exchange to achieve an environment conducive to attention, dialogue and reflection.
Email: info@globalpoliticalexchange.org
Co-founder Nicholas Noe: +961.81.797.943 (WhatsApp available)